In its bubble of academia, dorms and downtown shops, the city of Davis -- home of a University of California campus -- certainly has a college-town feel.

What if cool college towns sprouted near Roseville and Rancho Cordova?

Developers hope the idea will generate excitement -- and support -- from city and county officials. It also would open the door to build more homes. Thousands of them.

Forget about sports arenas. The latest strategy to break up farmland for development has developers teaming up with colleges and universities, using them as potential anchors for massive new subdivisions.

This blog is part of the ongoing work of the American River Parkway Preservation Society to provide public education and advocacy around public policy issues that may be related to the Parkway and the adjacent communities along the American River in Sacramento, California.